The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • 8

8A The Helena Independent Record, Day, Date, Year Stations hiiigin Hunting success CAROLYNN FARLEY IR Staff Writer or Helena-area hunters who fer to seek game without straying far from their own back yards, the hunting season has been But for those outdoors types willing to go to of hunters striking out has decreased. He said he anticipates the number of kills reported to spike this weekend if the areas receive snow, and, if not, on Thanksgiving weekend, the final weekend of general hunting season. In the western part of the state, the number of animals being harvested is about average to below average, said Aasheim. He said the lack of snow there has made the animals less accessible to hunters because they are staying at higher altitudes. In the eastern part of the state, check stations are reporting average numbers of kills, according to Aasheim.

Weather plays less of a role in the flat lands, he said. In fact, he said, there were as many elk taken in the first week of the general season reported to the Gallatin check station as there were in the entire season last year. Aasheim credits the "exceptional" season in southwest Montana to the early snow that blanketed the higher elevations at the beginning of the season, driving the animals to the lower altitudes to forage. In addition, he said, the Bozeman and Dillon areas are popular hunting areas, thus accounting for a greater number of animals being harvested there than in less popular hunting grounds. Aasheim said the number of animals being taken has declined in the past few weeks as -temperatures have moderated and the number the snow, the season has been exceptional, according to Ron Aasheim, administrator of the conservation education division of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Southwest Montana has been very good for elk, according to Aasheim, who described this season as being "nearly as good as it has ever been for hunter success" in the Bozeman and Dillon areas. the Republican National Convention, and every morning and evening reported live to our six stations. We did the same with the San Francisco earthquake and the Olympics." The company is also "very supportive of the communities we serve, and very education oriented," Rogers said. "In Pocatello we built classrooms in our station to serve Idaho State University's communications department," he said. "Our own employees teach classes to juniors and seniors there." The broadcasting company has already approached Carroll College about supporting its Communications Department, he said.

At this point, it is uncertain where Sunbelt will locate the new station. "We've looked at a lot of property, and the Helena Valley would probably be the best location for our office and studio," Rogers said. Sunbelt plans to purchase about two acres and construct a new facility, he said. the employees of KTVH as to what might happen to them when we come to town." "If two employers are vying for the same employees it does nothing but drive up wages," Rogers said. When Sunbelt purchased a station in Pocatello, Idaho, all 50 employees were rehired with the exception of two, who decided to leave by their own volition, Rogers said.

Sunbelt eventually added 30 people to that staff. They also raised salaries 8 to 35 percent. If Sunbelt fails to acquire the NBC affiliation, they will attempt to acquire FOX affiliation. "If we don't get FOX, we'll run as an independent," Rogers said. Currently, Sunbelt owns five NBC affiliate stations in Las Vegas and Elko, Yuma, Pocatello, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyo.

In addition they own a FOX affiliate in Twin Falls, Idaho. Rogers described Sunbelt as a "very news-oriented" company. "We like to develop our news staffs in smaller markets," Rogers said. "We sent three reporters to Panel dation. Task force members will sign their final recommendation Dec.

3 and submit it to the governor, who ultimately will decide whether to ask lawmakers to buy the properties in the southwest Montana gold-rush towns. executive director to oversee management of, raise money for and implement policies relating to the Bovey properties. Racicot has said he recognizes the importance of finding money to salvage the properties, calling it "an investment in the future that is very important." Task force member Rep. Jeanette McKee, R-Hamilton, echoed the sentiments of the governor and others who believe that the Legislature could be the town's last hope. "The status quo isn't an option," said McKee.

"If the Legislature doesn't act, my strong belief is this will be sold. This will be gone." itself financially through admission fees and bus tours. "It's a gold mine," said task force member Ed Henrich, head of the Montana Innkeepers Association and manager of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Members also agreed a semi-independent commission, appointed by the governor, should be assigned to oversee the acquired properties. The commission would be aligned with the Montana Historical Society, which, along with the Parks Division of the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, would care for the assets.

The new commission would consist of representatives from around the state and would hire an buildings. "This is a good deal, it's a bargain," said task force member Rep. Karl Ohs, R-Harrison. Task force members are asking that the governor consider several ways to pay back the 20-year bond. Among the options are: diverting some of the money intended for the state's coal tax trust fund; imposing a new tax on rental cars; earmarking a portion of motel or hotel bed tax or increasing the state taxes on gambling.

Members plan to prioritize the options before giving Racicot their final recommendation. The ultimate goal is that the towns will become a national tourist attraction that supports Contract The task force, appointed by Racicot earlier this year, determined that $6.5 million would allow the state to acquire all of the Bovey assets, including real estate, artifacts, mineral rights, liquor licenses and railroad properties in Virginia and Nevada cities. Another $3 million, they said, is needed to store irreplaceable artifacts and preserve and fireproof the Bovey spring will bring noticeable changes. People relying on public financed mental health services will find easier access, more coordination of services and greater emphasis on early intervention, he said. The money paid under the contract depends on how many Medi-caid-eligible patients are served, but savings should come from the tighter controls over which services are provided to patients, he said Under the current system, patients advised by professionals decide what type of care they need, and the care provider bills the state.

Under a managed-care system, the Bosnia ners scored 874.7. Blouke would not explain why that company was chosen over the others, except to say it "met all the criteria that we were interested in" and "was the most responsive in terms of the criteria." He said state prohibits him from discussing any specifics of the proposals until after the contract is signed. That may happen within 10 days, after negotiations over final details in the agreement are fin- ished, he added. Vista Montana, a subsidiary of a San Diego company, finished second with 820.9 points, and Merit. Behavioral of rushed to Capitol Hill on Thursday to brief members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Bosnia and a pending U.S.

troop deployment to Zaire. "I remain deeply concerned about the increasing use of U.S. troops for 'policing' operations throughout the world, as well as the costs associated with such operations," Sen. Strom Thurmond, the Armed Services chairman, said after the meeting. A congressional staffer speaking on condition of anonymity said the ground-troop option in Bosnia involved 8,000 to 10,000 Army troops joining in the international effort.

The mission would extend from mid-March for perhaps as much as another year. The U.S. troop level would gradually decline during that time. Clinton has considered four options: Pull out of Bosnia by March 15. fW.m Organize a "deterrence" mission involving the threat of NA1 air -power if hostilities resume, with a rapid-reaction force stationed in Hun- 8ary Dnmn ujfiih the artminis- on a brief vacation then an Asian trip.

The issue is quite sensitive. A year ago the Clinton administration was assuring lawmakers that 19,000 American soldiers in Bosnia with a 60000-member NATO peacekeeping mission would be home by December. The U.S. force, now about 14,000, is scheduled to leave by mid-March. Renewed fighting in Bosnia this week has heightened worries over the possible departure of NATO peacekeepers.

Top advisers to the president particularly diplomat Richard Holbrooke, who negotiated the Bosnia peace agreement in 1995 vigorously urged Clinton to continue a U.S. presence to avoid resuming the vicious 372-year ethnic war that Holbrooke's agreement halted. A "That may require some type of presence in Bosnia, McLurry saia. "We've said that all along. It was never very likely that they were going to just pull up stakes and go home.

We needed to preserve the gains that have been made." 6 We're entering Into uncharted waters, llobody's tried to do this Montana, a partnership between a New Jersey firm and Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Montana, was third with 795.4. Big Sky Health Partnership, a venture of six Montana hos Maintain mnr ea iroui) dicsciic ui 1 1 tration appears to have accepted. Continue the current peace Implementation Force, or ihUK. Perry indicated early on that continuing IFOR was not a viable option. NATO allies pressed the administration to support a continued U.S.

troop presence. a A senior military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one option involves keeping elements of the 1st Infantry Division under the command of Army Maj. Gen. Montgomery Meigs, in Bosnia beyond mid-March. Republican lawmakers have bitterly criticized tne aaminisirauuu uvci "After spending the better part of the year evading the question, the Clinton administration appears ready to finally own up to the fact that it was never serious about its commitment to limit U.S.

involvement Bosnia to one year," said Rep. Floyd Spence, chairman of the House National Security Committee. Defense Secretary William Perry and his top deputy, John White, contractor will have some control over the services provided and would try to stay within a predetermined budget. Blouke said the amount of profit the company can earn will be limited in the contract, based on how good a job the firm is doing. That determination will be made by an independent evaluator the state has yet to hire, he said.

If the company does an adequate job, profits will be capped at Th percent. A good job of providing service will warrant a 5 percent profit and an outstanding job will permit a 7 7 percent profit Alan Shusterman, president and chief executive officer of CMC said whatever profits are realized will be split evenly between his company and improvements in mental health services. Shusterman said he believed his company had an edge because of its partnership with the Montana coalition, which includes 20 nonprofit human service organizations. That connection gave his firm a better understanding of how existing programs work and what is needed to make them better, he said. Montana Community Partners plans to hire 77 people in the state to manage its operation, including 56 at its Billings headquarters.

Selena Arts Coundl Presents pitals and a Virginia company, was fourth with 716.6 points. The chosen company will oversee nearly all publicly funded mental health programs, including those provided at the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs and services at the five regional mental health centers. The firm will take over management April 1. The $80 million-a-year contract is the largest ever awarded by the state and is the first of its kind in the country, Blouke said. "We're entering into uncharted waters," he said.

"This is the largest, most comprehensive managed care mental health program in the nation. Nobody's tried to do this before." Blouke said the change next After School L'UftC. Learning Center Phone 449-3239 2210 N. Cooke The high quality lower cost choice! TUTORING IN ALL SUBJECTS A FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS featuring JURIED FINE ART EXHIBIT JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY LE-CTCUM MARKETPLACE. WITH 60 PREMIER FINE ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMAN FROM THRU ADULT ACTSAT.

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